Four Seasons pioneers ‘age-defying’ yoga

The spa at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay says it is very much at the forefront of exploring the dynamics of wellbeing in all its forms.

Proof of this is an anti-gravity aerial yoga technique launched late last year, which is said to be the first of its kind in the Middle East.

Suitable for guests aged 16 and above, the techniques utilise a silk hammock, enabling participants to take yoga into the three-dimensional realm.

But it is not just for the athletic: all abilities and body types can benefit from the highly therapeutic exercise, according to US-based health expert Christopher Harrison, who pioneered the technique and visited Bahrain to launch the programme.

The programme involves slightly suspending one’s body above the ground, to provide relief to the physical body and facilitate the practice of zero-compression inverted postures.

One of the reasons antigravity aerial yoga stands out above all the rest is the additional emotional benefits. It is said to relieve stress, is spiritually uplifting and provides a new and exciting alternative to exercising, Harrison says.

The yoga course is offered at a natural light-filled room at the hotel’s fitness facilities.

The spa at Bahrain property is the second largest in the entire Four Seasons portfolio. Measuring 3,485 sq m, it encompasses 17 treatment rooms, five pools and two fitness centres (which are open 24 hours).

There are separate unisex and women’s only facilities which use Sodashi and ila product lines, and which include relaxation lounges with juice bars, locker rooms and whirlpools.

The pools include four outdoor ones – an infinity, Azure, saltwater experience and dedicated kid’s pool – and the indoor 148.5-sq-m spa pool.

Other facilities include a steam room, salt inhalation room, beauty salon and barber shop, and Turkish hammams, all of which are overseen by spa director Chandarella Luzon.

Meanwhile, director of sales and marketing Mohammad Barakat says that business at the hotel has been very much on track since the property’s launch last year.

'We have closed the year second in RevPar within our competitor-set of 5-star hotels which is a great achievement, considering that we opened in mid-March, 2015,' Barakat says. 'We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry/Tourism Authority in promoting Bahrain as a destination. Besides we have exciting road shows planned to new markets this year.'

Referring to high-net-worth individuals, he says Four Seasons will continue to extend a higher level of service supported with the best quality products in the market.

The company continues to grow and further looks for the right opportunity to expand, he adds.

FACILITIES

The 68-storey H-shaped Four Seasons in Bahrain Bay rests on its own manmade five hectare island with interiors inspired by luxury sea voyages, each of its 273 rooms and suites enhanced by works of Bahraini art.

The biggest talking point of the property’s dining offering is the three outlets by Michelin-starred chef Wolfgang Puck – steakhouse CUT by Wolfgang Puck, the contemporary re Asian Cuisine | Wolfgang Puck and the Blue Moon Lounge | Wolfgang Puck with a Moroccan influence.

The lower lobby level has an international all-day dining buffet restaurant Bahrain Bay Kitchen, on the lobby level there’s the Bay-View Lounge, as well as a spot for sundowners in CUT Bar & Lounge. Nestled by the poolside are the Italian inspired Vento and the down-to-earth Azure where one will find snacks and shisha.

Upon check-in, children get an invitation to visit the Kids for All Seasons Club which is fantastic for families with kids aged four to 12.

The complimentary, fully-supervised programme includes plenty of activities. Meanwhile, they can also enjoy their own dedicated pool area within the fitness facilities.

For meetings and events, there’s a 923-sq-m Al Bahrain ballroom as well as the smaller 432-sq-m Al Manama, alongside four meeting rooms and two boardrooms. They also offer a music studio which can feed tunes into the ballrooms; a bridal suite with private entrance, photography room, pantry, living room and companion suite; and a business centre.